One of my favorite things to do is geek out and watch TED talks.

Late at night, I cozy up in my pjs with a LaCroix and start with whichever first catches my eye and then I’m down the rabbit hole. . . Usually I emerge a few hours later, having watched 8 or 10 talks that were recommended for me, knowing all kinds of nifty new things.

A couple of days ago, I caught a talk that really spoke to me from Candy Chang, who is the creator of the “Before I Die” chalkboards that are placed in different cities, where people write their aspirations.

I love this project and I loved her talk (I will link it at the bottom of this post).

One thing she said that really resonated with me was, “Thinking about death clarifies your life.” I believe that is so true.

I suppose I’m more comfortable thinking about death than your average bear, perhaps because I worked so closely with the dying when I was an active nurse or perhaps because I am a chronically ill person now. Maybe a bit of both.

I believe it is a really good idea to have in our minds a Before I Die List – or a bucket list, if you will – and mine needs a good updating. Some of the things I thought I would do I just can’t anymore and there are some new things I really want to get around to. And it isn’t a morbid thing. Far from it. It’s just a way of keeping big goals in mind amid the day-to-day and I find it is especially helpful for me, as it appears I am not so much “flaring” anymore as my disease has just really progressed lately – meaning this seems to be a permanent state of being. 😦

I am so in need of good stuff to focus on too. So. . .

Before I Die I want to:

1. Visit Italy, especially Rome and Vatican City.
2. Publish my book. I hope more than one.
3. See Les Mis on Broadway. (and lots of other shows too – but I MUST see Les Mes there)
4. Do the Big Foot trip with Sara.
5. Concerts. So many concerts. All of the concerts.
6. Alaska cruise. And, no Lorelai, I don’t care if it means I’m headed for the home. 😉
7. We must do Potter World and Disney.
8. Remarry my better half in Vegas. With Elvis. Yassss.
9. San Fran.
10. . . .

There are many more things as well, places I want to see, things to do, goals to accomplish.

I hope that you will all give it some thought and start your own list too.

Forward. Always forward.

Happy Wednesday, y’all.

Grace and Blessings.